Tina Amanda
One Barnabas Worlu, a contractor, has pleaded with the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Police Brutality to ensure that proper equity and justice is done to victims of Police brutality as he is now incapacitated after being brutalized and tortured by Officers of the disbanded SARS in Rukpokwu.
Testifying before the panel, Worlu narrated that on 29 March, 2020, while returning from his business, on getting close to market road junction Rukpokwu, SARS personnel invaded the area, shooting sporadically which made people scamper for safety
According to him, on the process of running for his life, SARS Officers caught him and descended on him, which caused fracture and dislocation of his left leg.
He said he was later arrested and detained in that condition at SARS office Rukpokwu.
According to him, ever since then, he can no longer make use of his left leg as he is now disfigured for life, stressing that the inability to continue to fend for his family is seriously affecting his marriage, as he is unable to further his children’s education.
He demanded the sum of fifty million naira as compensation to enable him seek further medical attention and support his family.
Also, a one hundred level Student of Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, has demanded justice for her late Elder brother, Godspower Eze Woko who was unlawfully shot to death few meters away from their compound, by SARS Operatives on 9 February, 2017, at Egi in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni local government area of the state.
“My elder brother went to answer a call from one of our uncles, and on reaching there they got into a discussion. While they were discussing, they heard sporadic gunshots, and my brother decided to run home for safety. But upon getting close to our compound he was shot by SARS Operatives.
“We heard the news, rushed out from the house only to discover that my brother’s body has been whisked away by SARS Officers. I went to their office and they confirmed that they actually shot my brother on the leg, reaching the mortuary were my brother’s remain was dumped, I discovered that SARS Operatives shot him on the buttocks not on the leg as they claimed.
“My late brother’s life was cut short by the reckless shooting of the disbanded SARS. He left two kids and a young wife behind, I want compensation for his family, so those children can be adequately taking care of”
On his part, Horsfall Mac-Jay, demanded that the Judicial Commission should compel the Anti-kidnapping Unit of Rumuolumeni Police station, Iwofe in Obio Akpor local government area to make known the whereabout of his brother Sotonye George Horsfall, who went missing on the 16th April, 2020, after he was arrested by Officers of the unit.
He told the Commission that he has been searching for his brother in police stations since the day he heard of his arrest by police officers, noting that through the help of a police officer, he was able to get information that his brother was brought into Rumuolumeni Police station on 16 April, 2020, by the Anti-kidnapping Unit and was later taken away to an unknown destination till date.
He demanded that his brother should be released dead or alive, together with his car that was impounded by Officers of Rumuolumeni Police station.
